Arabic version: تراجع التجارة وشحنات النفط الإيرانية تحت العقوبات

According to Cnbc, Iranian imports and exports have fallen between 25% and 35%, President Masoud Pezeshkian said, as U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade add pressure to the economy. He said imports had declined more sharply than exports, and argued that claims sanctions have no effect were inconsistent with the reported figures.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called for greater economic self-reliance in a written message Friday. He urged attention to economic growth and production, along with gradually phasing out the U.S. dollar from a pivotal role and making “Resistance Economy” the central focus.

The pressure campaign has included “Operation Economic Outcast,” launched Monday by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to sever Iran’s economic ties worldwide. Treasury on Friday proposed revoking the UAE operations of Egyptian bank Banque Misr’s correspondent banking access to U.S. financial institutions over alleged financial ties to Iran. Treasury said the branch processed about $1.8 billion during the past two years for 103 companies potentially tied to Iran’s shadow banking network. The bank said the action was limited to its UAE branch and that it was cooperating with relevant authorities.

Iranian crude export loadings have also dropped sharply. Kpler reported that Iran loaded about 260,000 barrels per day for export so far in August, more than 80% below 1.7 million barrels per day in August 2025 and about 70% below 893,000 barrels per day last month. U.S. Central Command said that, as of Aug. 28, its forces had redirected 82 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two to ensure compliance. Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum said it had sufficient reserves to meet 2026-2027 budget requirements and had transferred $7.5 billion in oil-sale proceeds to the central bank over four months.